Three young sisters have been found dead after disappearing from their home in Texas while being babysat by a family friend.
Zi’ariel Oliver, 9, A’Miyah Hughes, 8, and Temari Oliver, 5, were reported missing from their small-town residence on Friday night.
A dive team pulled their bodies from a private pond on a neighboring property early Saturday morning. Her cause of death is not yet known.
Her mom took to Facebook and said the “losing my sweet babies” was “so unreal.”
Although this is a difficult time, the grieving mum said she “needs to be strong for the sake of my three other babies.”
Three young sisters have been found dead after disappearing from their home in Texas while being babysat by a family friend
Zi’ariel Oliver, 9, A’Miyah Hughes, 8, and Temari Oliver, 5, were reported missing from their small-town residence on Friday night
Zi’ariel, A’Miyah and Temari disappeared at their home in Atlanta, about 200 miles east of Fort Worth, around 10 p.m. Friday, prompting a multi-agency search for the girls.
A family friend had been watching the trio and their other siblings while their mother, Shommaonique Oliver, 28, was at work. The babysitter called 911 to report her disappearance.
Officials received reports the girls were found in a pond near Highway 77 around 2 a.m. Saturday.
Police focused their search on the pond after a pair of shoes and other clothing were found nearby and scattered in the water.
“We found clothing items around and in a pond,” Texas game warden Shawn Hervey told KSLA on Saturday.
“So we concentrated the search on this small body of water and, with the help of divers, we were able to recover three victims around 2 a.m..”
A dive team pulled their bodies from a private pond on a neighboring property early Saturday morning. Her cause of death is not yet known
Police focused their search on the pond after a pair of shoes and other clothing were found nearby and scattered in the water. Video captured at the scene also showed a bicycle left on the property
Video from the scene showed a bicycle left on the property, seemingly near the pond. It’s unclear if the bike belonged to the girls and if they rode it to the property.
“We have no idea what the girls were doing there,” Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe told the Texarkana Gazette.
Investigators have not drawn any conclusions about their deaths and the bodies were sent for autopsy.
“No one has been charged with anything,” Rowe said.
Harvey reiterated: “It’s not an everyday occurrence, but it happens.”
Her mom took to Facebook and said the “losing my sweet babies” was “so unreal.” Though this is a tough time, the grieving mum said she “needs to be strong for the sake of my 3 other babies.”
Heartbroken at the loss of her daughters, Shommaonique says the incident was “unexpected” and a “great pain and shock” to her entire family.
“Throughout this process, my family is helping me get through this difficult time with me and the loss of my sweet babies. It’s so unreal,” she wrote.
“But I know I have to be strong for my other 3 babies because they need me more than ever!!!”
The grieving mother created a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses and other related expenses.
“This was so unexpected (sic) and a great pain and shock to me and my family. We are asking for help now to put my sweet corners to rest,” she wrote, adding, “Anything you can donate is appreciated.”
Shommaonique created a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses
“Lord please and I mean please I want my children to have that pain back and words cannot explain the pain I am going through. I just want my baby girl to be in my arms again,” the grieving mom wrote in another post.
She added: “Rest easy my sweet baby girl (sic) say hello to grandma for me I miss and love you all.”
Friends and family alike have pledged their support to Shommaonique during this incredibly difficult time.
“Sweet baby I have no words,” Stephanie Spriggs-Luckey wrote. “No words will bring you comfort. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious babies.
“I will pray to God to bring you peace and comfort as only He can.”
Sharing photos of the girls on Facebook, her cousin China Davis said: “These babies are on my mind, they are both family and friends.
“I love you, cousin, I pray, baby, my heart is crying out for you!”
Shommaonique’s Facebook page is awash with condolences and prayers, as well as loved ones expressing their complete and utter shock at the deaths.
“I pray for you and that God gives you strength,” Dapatrick Jones repeated.
‘It definitely doesn’t seem real!’ said LaKeithia Malone. “Yes, stay strong for [your other kids]. You have us in your corner. (sic)’
J. Ray Web-Hill, who also shared photos of the sisters, encouraged everyone to donate to the fundraising site, noting that the family “would be very grateful for any help.”